Morgan Amalfitano .... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-City-eye-West-Bromwich-Albion-loan-star.html
His name constantly cropped up in the summer and is still cropping up. Looked a good player initially, went missing a little and is now finding form again.
Cleverly is easily good enough for us, don't be stupid sheep. He's a bloody good player. Forget the media circus telling you he's gash, it's embarrassing and he's not. Just because he's not Man Utd quality doesn't mean he's not good enough for us.
Agreed. He's just surrounded by good players, he'd walk into our team. And probably will. You wouldn't hear me complaining and we know how well Bruce can get the best out of underachieving players...
I don't think he's the world's worst player - but I also think he wouldn't stand out in our team either. And given the price Man Utd would likely want for him, I don't think it would be money well spent. (And Hat: I'm not sure "Man Utd quality" means much these days! To fail to be good enough for their current midfield is a genuine failure - it's not exactly Keane and Scholes keeping him out.)
Yeah but Manchester United have beaten us once this season, they'll probably beat us again. They're squad man for man is better than ours, the only player I'd have over one of theirs is Thudd over Carrick. We need to be aiming for a higher class of player and the likes of Cleverley are good signings for us!
You wouldn't have Davies over their rag-tag bunch of centre-halves? All I'm saying is the fee they'll want for Cleverley will be large (the Mirror speculated £15m a couple of weeks ago, although I can't see anyone paying that), and that he wouldn't make the sort of impact we'd need for such an outlay.
I wasn't that impressed with him on Sunday, looked a bit slow, in fact Cooper looked better than him IMHO.
Man U must be trying to get their own back for buying Fellini, both valued way above what they are worth.
I agree we won't get Cleverley, he's too expensive and poor value for money for a team like us, but to suggest he's not good enough for us is just pure foolishness.
He's not good enough for us though is he. He wouldn't get into our team now. Who would you drop to accommodate him?
As OLM said, Cleverley is way out of our "War-Chest" allocation at 15 million quid. The Allam's laid down strict rules governing the financial infrastructure of the Club and Management have to work within those parameters. There is also an FA ruling I believe instructing that Clubs HAVE to operate within their means. Someone suggested Michael Turner who may have lost some sparkle but he is experienced at this level, is free and would (I guess) be within our budget. Would be a good investment imo and still solid. I think Spurs have priced Livermore out of our budget which will mean Steve Bruce will be looking for another 'engine room' operator. There is also the health of McGreggor who may have had his career brought to an end with the kidney problem in which case he will also be looking for another top-level goalkeeper either to replace McGreggor or on the bench for Harper. Elmo is comfortable at this level but I feel we need another attacking winger as George Boyd (who, although he has lifted his game) is just lacking a shade at this level. Brady is a Championship player as are Sagbo, Fryatt and Aluko. If we are to sustain our EPL position then we will have to improve and I am sure that Steve Bruce and his staff have already targeted players for next season within the financial infrastructure of the Club. There is also the good old "loan player" option which can be used very effectively when used selectively. Danny Graham was an absolute disaster at this level but appears to have found it in the Championship with Middlesbrough - much to the delight of the Sunderland Message Board users who have resigned themselves to relegation this season. Should be some interesting dealings in the close season for us especially if Arsenal can secure the 4th spot in the EPL which will put us into Europe regardless of the result at Wembley on May 17th. This is bound to lift our stocks a little to say the least.
Brady was arguably the best winger in the league for the first few weeks before his injury problems, he is more than good enough for us and if he had played the full season I'd be worried about him moving on to a better team. Aluko was also class pre injuries and when fit is probably our best attacking player.
